By Emem Idio

YENAGOA—There is tension in Ogbotobo community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State over kingship tussle between the paramount ruler, His Royal Highness, HRH Samuel Sapele and representatives of Kenneth Tuabor, Peres Fineman and Seaboy Agge compounds in the community.

The tussle had led to the announcement by the Joint Council of Chiefs, Youths and executive members that HRH  Sapele has been removed from office.

However, loyalists of the monarch have denied his removal, insisting that he remains the paramount ruler of the community.

According to reports, a meeting of the Joint Council of Chiefs, youths, opinion leaders and executive members of the community at a meeting decided to remove Sapele over allegations of maladministration and activities likely to trigger native war.

Meanwhile, the representatives of Kenneth- Tuabor, Chief Peres Fineman and Seaboy Agge compounds on behalf of the community have directed their lawyer, Dede Ofulu to write a letter to the oil companies operating in the community to stop dealing with Sapele.

One of the letters addressed to Mr Doutimi Agbiki, acting Manager, Government/ Community Relations, Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, by Ofulu as principal solicitor, stated that “the resolution to remove the erstwhile Paramount Ruler, Sapele was taken at a meeting comprising the council of chiefs, youths, opinion leaders and the entire executive members held at the community town hall, where the activities of the paramount ruler was discussed.”